griffin



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-$heet 1. W. GRIFFIN.

POTATO DIGGING MACHINE. No. 393,007. Patented Nov. 20, 1888.

(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

W. GRIFFIN.

POTATO DIGGING MACHINE. No. 393,007. Patented Nov; 20, 1888.

N. FEYERS. Photo-Lithographer. Waihmgion. o. c,

UNITED STATES PATENT Orrice.

WILLIAM GRIFFIN, OF FAIR HAVEN, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HAL TO FRANKM. JONES, OF SAME PLACE.

POTATO-DIGGING MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 393,007, dated November20, 1888. Application filed May 5, 1888. Serial No. 272,987. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, WILLIAM GRIFFIN, a citizen of the United States,residing at Fair Haven, in the county of Cayuga and State of New York,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Potato-Diggers, ofwhich the following is a specification.

This invention relates to certain newand useful improvements inpotato-diggers ofthat class in which plows are provided for turning upthe hill, and in which provision is made for the elevation of the plowsand diggers in transportation from place to place.

The object of the invention is to improve upon previous constructions ofthis character, to provide a strong and durable machine, and one thatwill be efficient in operation.

The novelty resides in the peculiar combinations and the construction,arrangement, and adaptation of parts, all as more fully hereinafterdescribed, shown in the drawings, and then particularly pointed out inthe appended claims.

The invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawings,which, with the letters of reference marked thereon, form a part of thisspecification, and in which- Figure l is a side elevation of apotato-digger constructed in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2 is atop lan of the same.

Referring now to t e details of the drawings by letter, A designates theaxle, and BB the main wheels. The axle is journaled in Ts on the ends ofthe longitudinal bars I), which are secured to the front transverse bar,a. Secured to the bar a, and extending backward, are the bars 0 0,connected at their rear ends by a cross-bar, a, and the two crossbars aand c are joined by the longitudinal bar D, parallel with the bars I),and preferably substantially midway of the same. These parts arepreferably formed of suitable gaspipe, and the several parts connectedtogether by suitable couplings and Ts,as shown.

To the longitudinal bar D are secured the teeth or diggers E E, and tothe rear crossbar, 0, are also preferably secured two or more teeth ofthe same construction. Rising from the rear cross-bar, c, and from thebars b near their frontends, are the standards d, forming a support forthe upper frame, F, which is preferably formed of gas-pipe, and suitablybraced by means of cross-bars, and the parts connected by suitablecouplings. The rear ends of the side bars of this upper frame areextended to form handles e e. Suitably held in a holder, f, supported bythe central bar, D, is the plow G, preferably provided with amold-board, as shown.

From the front crossbar of the upper frame extends forward the bar h,the forward end of which is connected to an extension'of the bar D by avertical rod or-bar, g, to the rear face of which is secured asemicircular strip provided upon its rear side with a plurality ofnotches, i, to receive the ring of the draftpole H.

To the central crossbar, j, of the upper frame is pivoted a rod, I, oneend of which extends rearward and forms an operating-lever, and theother end inclines forward and upward, as shown.

On the axle is pivoted the upright frame, consisting of the two barssuitably connected together, and the two bars formed on their frontfaces with a plurality of notches, Z, for a purpose hereinafterspecified. The upper cross-bar of this upright frame slides loosely overthe upwardly-extended end of the rod I.

Rising from the forward cross-bar of the up per frame are thestandardsm, connected by a cross-bar, 01., adapted to engage the notches of theside bars of the upright frame.

L is a spring connected at one end with the bar h and at its other endto the upwardlyextending portion of the rod I.

When it is desired to transport the machine from one place to another,or it is desired for any reason to elevate the diggers and plow from theground, it is only necessary to manipulate the lever I,when thecross-bar n will engage the notches of the upright frame and hold it inits adjusted position. The spring L serves to hold the said parts at alltimes in engagement.

That I claim as new is- 1. In a potato-digger, the combination,with theaxle and the upper and lower frames connected together and pivoted onthe axle, of the upright frame provided with notches, means described,and for the purpose specified.

3. The potato-digger described, consisting of the axle, the wheels, thelower frame, the

diggers and plow carried thereby, the upper I 5 frame connected to thelower frame, and all pivoted on the axle, thelever I, pivoted to thecentral crossbar of the upper frame, the upright frame provided with thenotches, as described, the cross-bar n on the upper frame, 20 adapted toengage said notches,and the spring L, all arranged and operatingsubstantially as described.

WILLIAM GRIFFIN.

Witnesses:

S. K. HrroHeoeK, J. N. RUssELL.

